Picture hanger assembly



July 11, 1967 L. WEINSTEIN 3,330,525

PICTURE HANGER ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 22, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 11, 1967 L. WEINSTEIN 3,330,525

PI CTURE HANGER AS SEMBLY Filed Oct. 22, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheei 2 F1544- FIG. 4b JEEHQQZTEQL United States Patent 3,330,525 PICTURE HANGER ASSEMBLY Louis Weinstein, 19 Morningside Drive, Yardley, Pa. 19067 Filed Oct. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 500,636 12 Claims. (Cl. 248-496) The instant invention relates to hanging devices and more particularly to picture hanging assemblies which simply and readily permit the vertical adjustment of pictures and other objects suspended from such assemblies.

There arise numerous instances where it is desired to hang an art object upon a wall or other surface at a specific height. The design of conventional picture hangers makes it very difiicult to determine where the nail element of the picture hanger assembly must be driven to achieve this objective.

As a further example, there are situations wherein it is desired to hang pictures of identical dimensions, side by side on a wall. It is very dificult to drive the nails of the picture hangers into the wall and be assured that the pictures will be hung at exactly the same height.

As a still further example, when hanging large pictures having heavy frames, it is undesirable to use a wire across the rear of the frame and support the picture on a single picture hanger. This is due to the fact that the weight of the frame places too much strain upon the frame causing it to bend out of shape at the corners. A better method I is to utilize two separate picture hangers supporting the picture along the opposite vertical sides of the frame. It is therefore extremely important to mount the picture hangers on the wall so that the horizontal sides of the frame will be exactly horizontal.

The instant invention is characterized by providing a simple, inexpensive picture hanger which is easy to make, as simple to mount as conventional picture hangers, and provides a substantially infinite number of adjustable positions for controlling the height of the art object being hung.

The instant invention is comprised of a substantially fiat and preferably disc-shaped member having a centrally located aperture and a continuous spiral shaped slot winding about the central aperture. A nail is inserted through the central aperture. One end of a member hooked at both ends is hung in the spiral shaped slot. The other hooked end is available to receive the wire or loop normally provided at the back of the picture.

By rotating the flat member about the nail inserted through the central opening an arcuate portion of varying distance from the central opening may be positioned immediately below the central opening. Rotation of the fiat member in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction from this position will raise or lower the picture suspended from the assembly. The total amount of adjustment is dependent only upon the size of the flat member used and the total number of turns of the spiral.

The continuous slot need not be a perfect spiral configuration, but can be irregular in its configuration so long as it generally spirals outwardly from the centrally located aperture. Whereas the continuous generally spiral shaped slot is preferred, an alternative approach comprised of a plurality of discontinuous openings generally arranged at spaced intervals along an imaginary line which generally spirals outwardly from the central aperture may also be employed. The openings may be of any desired shape so as to receive one end of a double hook member.

In the case where the continuous and smooth spiral shaped slot is employed, the 'outwardmost edge of the spiral shaped slot may be provided with an undulating edge so as to prevent any movement of the double hooked member from its desired position along the spiral shaped slot or passageway.

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In the case where the plurality of openings are arrange at varying distances from the central opening, the fl member need not be rectangular or square shaped bi may, for example, be triangular or X or cross shaped desired. In the case of a substantially cross shaped men her, the openings extending along each of the arms a1 spaced at differing distances from the openings of ti remaining arms so as to provide a substantially larg variety of openings positioned at difiering distances froi the central aperture in order to assure vertical adjustabilit either up or down over a relatively substantial range.

As an alternative to the double hooked member fC coupling the flat sheet containing the openings to the pit ture frame or other object being hung, a pin means ma be inserted into the slot or openings, as the case may be which may 'be either removable in the case of discontint ous openings so as to be movable from one opening to an other, or may be provided with fastening means to preven its removal from the flat plate member, in the case when the generally shaped spiral passageway is continuous.

The fiat plate may be formed of a metal of suitabl strength or may be formed of a plastic member. The cen tral opening of the plate may be provided with a hollow cylindrical shaped member about which the plate is de signed to rotate and which is provided with an angula opening so as to receive an angularly aligned nail Whili maintaining the substantially flat plate along a substantial 1y vertical plane.

It is therefore one object of the instant invention tt provide a novel assembly for hanging pictures or othe art objects.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide 2 novel assembly for hanging pictures or other art objects upon a vertical wall, which assembly provides for simple adjustment of the object being hung in a substantially infinite number of vertical positions either upwardly o1 downwardly.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide a novel assembly for hanging pictures or other art objects comprised of a first means for securing the assembly to a vertical support and second means being provided with a generally continuous passageway generally spiraling outwardly from a central opening provided in the second means and third means capable of being positioned anywhere along the passageway for supporting the object being hung at any one of a large variety of vertical positions.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide a novel assembly for hanging pictures, art objects and the like, being comprised of first means for securing the as sembly to a vertical support; second means having an aperture for receiving the first means and being provided with a generally continuous passageway spiraling generally outwardlyaround said central aperture and receiving a third means for supporting the object being hung wherein the second means is rotatable about its central axis to adjust the height of the object either upwardly or downwardly at an infinite number of levels.

These and other objects of the instant invention will become apparent when reading the accompanying description and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing the conventional manner in which pictures are hung.

FIGURE 2 shows an end view of a prferred embodiment designed in accordance with the principles of the instant invention.

FIGURE 3 shows a plan view of the circular disc employed in the assembly of FIGURE 2.

FIGURES 3a-3g are plan views showing alternative embodiments for the disc of FIGURE 3.

FIGURES 4a-4d show alternative embodiments for the picture hanging assembly of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the pin means emlloyed in the embodiments of FIGURES 4b-4d.

FIGURE 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the pin emodiment of FIGURE 4d.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows the ear side of a picture frame assembly comprised of the rame portion having horizontal sides 11 and 12 and verical sides 13 and 14, respectively. A wire 15 of suitable trength is secured by fastening means such as nails 16 ind 17 provided along the vertical sides of the frame. The onventional picture hanging assembly is comprised of a bin, flat metallic member 18 which is bent at 19 and 20 o as to form a generally S shaped configuration. Suitable )penings are provided at 21 and 22 for receiving the nail 23. Nail 23 is driven into a suitable vertical support such LS a wall until its nail head 24 bears against the member L8 at 25. The hooked portion 26 receives the wire 15, thus :ornpleting the picture hanging assembly. In the case vhere two pictures are to be hung side by side and the Jictures have frames of the exact outer dimensions it is :onventional to measure down from the ceiling in order to :stablish where the nails 23 should be driven into the vall or other vertical support. An extreme amount of care s to be exerted in making the measurements and in drivng the nails into the vertical support or else the pictures vill be out of alignment. While it is possible to tighten up he wires 15 this nevertheless is not a simple adjustment 0 make and is thereby very time consuming. Also the :eiling may be uneven.

With the assembly 30, shown in FIGURE 2 of the nstant invention, substantially all of the extreme care vhich must normally be employed in hanging pictures or )ther art objects is totally avoided. The assembly 30 of FIGURE 2 is comprised of a nail 23 which passes through 1 central aperture in the substantially fiat plate 31 and vhich is driven into a vertical support or wall 32, preferibly until its nail head 24 is in close proximity to the outvard surface of the plate member 31. Turning to a con- ;ideration of FIGURE 3, the plate 31 can be seen to be Formed of a suitable plastic or metallic material having a :entral aperture 33 and a continuous narrow slot which ipirals generally outwardly from the central aperture tovard the outer periphery 35 of plate 31.

Returning to a consideration of FIGURE 2, a double l00k6d member 36 being provided with hooked portions 57 and 38 is arranged so that one of its hook portions 37 is ;uspended from the spiral shaped passageway 34 provided 11 plate 31. The other hook portion 38 is designed to 'eceive the wire, loop or other member provided at the rear of the picture frame or other art object in order to rang such object upon the assembly 50.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 3b the outward edge of he spiral shaped passageway is provided with an undulatng edge to receive the upper hooked portion 37 of the louble hooked member 36 so as to prevent the double looked member 36 once positioned in the desirable locaion, from moving from that position. From a considera- :ion of FIGURE 3b it can be seen that the hook may be tdjusted to be positioned beneath the central opening 33 anywhere within the distance D from central opening 33.

FIGURE 30 shows a generally spiral shaped passageway 34' which is comprised of a plurality of spaced segnents. In this embodiment the undulating outer edge of FIGURE 3b is not needed since it is possible to position be double hooked member 36 either along a straight line aortion or at one of the locations between two straight ine portions such as, for example, the location 39.

FIGURE 3d shows still another preferred embodiment n which the continuous passage may be replaced by a plurality of openings 40 generally arranged with their :enters lying along an imaginary line 41 which spirals generally outwardly from the central opening 33. The iouble hooked member 36 may be positioned in any one of the openings 40 and may be removed and replaced within any other one of the openings depending upon the height at which the object is desired to be hung.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 3c the openings 40 may be arranged along a plurality of radial lines 42 such that the openings still are positioned along an imaginary line 41 which spirals generally outwardly from the central opening 33 toward the outer periphery of the disc.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 3g a plurality of discontinuous elongated arcuate shaped slots 43 may replace the openings 40 of the FIGURES 3d and 3c. Again, it should be noted that the arcuate shaped slots, or passages 43 lie along an imaginary line 41 which spirals generally outwardly from the central opening 33 toward the outer periphery of the disc 31.

In addition to employing the circular shaped disc of FIGURES 33-317 and 3d, 3e and 3g, or the rectangular shaped disc of FIGURE 30, other shapes may be employed. For example, a cross or X-shaped plate 44, as shown in FIGURE 3f, may be provided with a plurality of openings 40 which extend outwardly along each of the arms 45 so that the centers of the openings lie generally along an imaginary line 41 which spirals generally outwardly from the central opening 33 toward the outermost edges 45a. of the arms 45. The openings 40, instead of being substantially circular shaped may be of any other desired shape or, may be arcuate shaped slots of the type shown in FIGURE 3g. The plate may be provided with a greater or lesser number of arms than that shown in FIGURE 3 or may, for example, be rectangular shaped or triangular shaped if desired.

An alternative embodiment for the assembly 30 of FIGURE 2 is shown in FIGURE 4a. The assembly 46 of FIGURE 4a is comprised of a substantially cylindrical member 47 having flanges 48 and 49 at its opposite ends for receiving the disc 31. The disc 31 is preferably provided with a diagonally aligned opening 33' to receive cylinder 47 in order to align the disc 31 substantially in a vertical plane when the nail 23 is driven into the wall or other vertical support at an angle. The disc 31 may then be rotated about cylinder 47 in order to appropriately adjust the height of the object being hung.

In the embodiment 50 of FIGURE 40 the disc 31 may be formed of a suitable plastic member having a thickness to provide it with sufiicient strength to support the object to be hung. The central member 51 may also be formed of a plastic material and is provided with a diagonally aligned opening 52 for receiving nail 23. Member 51 is provided with flanges 53 and 54 in order to secure the disc 31 thereto.

As an alternative to the double hooked member 36 previously described, the embodiment 50 of FIGURE 40 employs a peg-shaped member 55 having first and second portions 56 and 57 of differing diameters. The portion 56 is inserted through the passageway or openings. The portion 57, having the larger shaped diameter is provided with a V-shaped groove 58 completely surrounding portion 57 in order to receive the wire, loop or other device mounted upon the rear of the picture or other object to be hung. FIGURE 5 is a perspective drawing showing the peg-type member 55 in greater detail.

In the case where the peg-shaped member is inserted in a continuous passageway of the types shown in FIG- URES 33c, the rear end of portion 56 may be flattened to form the head 59 or the head may be threaded or force fitted on portion 56, as shown in FIGURE 4d so as to prevent the peg-shaped member 55 from being removed from the disc 31.

The portion 56 of peg-shaped member 55 may be provided with a cross-sectional configuration such as that shown in FIGURE 6 wherein the distance between the vertical sides D is substantially less than the distance between the horizontal sides D This configuration may be advantageously employed in the following manner:

By rotating the peg-shaped member so that the portion 56 occupies the position 56 shown in FIGURE 3a, the

peg-shaped member may be freely moved along the continuous passageway. After the desired position is reached, the peg-shaped member may be rotated through a quarterturn to occupy the position 56 shown in FIGURE 3a, so that it makes frictional engagement between the opposing sides of the passageway 34, thus looking it into position. As an alternative embodiment the passageway 34 may be provided with a plurality of substantially circular shaped positions 59 arranged at spaced intervals along the continuous passageway 34. The peg-shaped member 55 may then be rotated one-quarter turn, as previously described, so as to occupy the position 56" within one of the substantially circular shaped openings so as to be locked into position.

It can clearly be seen from a consideration of all the embodiments set forth herein that the instant invention provides a novel assembly for hanging pictures and other objects from a vertical support wherein the height adjustment of the object being hung is performed simply and without the need for exerting extreme care in the height adjustment operation of the objects and with the capability of adjusting the height of the object being hung and with an infinite variety of positions within a substantially large distance.

In cases where the assemblies are designed to support objects which are extremely heavy, the discs may be stamped from material having superior strength characteristics or the thickness of the material may be increased to provide the increased strength. The outer diameters of the discs or other shaped plates may take on a variety of values, depending only upon the needs of the user.

Although there has been described a preferred embodiment of this novel invention, many variations and modifications will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is to be limited, not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appending claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly for hanging pictures and other objects to a vertical support comprising;

first means for securing said assembly to said vertical support;

second means having a central aperture for receiving said first means and being provided with a passageway spiraling generally outwardly about said central opening;

third means having a first end being supported by said passageway and a second end for supporting the object being hung.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first means is a nail.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said third means is a double hooked member having a first hook suspended by said passageway and a second hook for supporting the object being hung.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said second means is a substantially flat member and said passageway being a narrow continuous elongated slot spiraling generally outwardly from said central aperture toward the outer periphery of said flat member.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the outer edge of said slot is provided with an irregular shaped configuration to prevent said third means from moving relative to said flat member.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said second means is a substantially flat member having a plurality of openings arranged at spaced intervals along an imaginary line spiraling generally outwardly from the central aperture toward the periphery of said flat member.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said second means is a substantially fiat disc-shaped member.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said second means is a substantially rectangular shaped member.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said second means is a substantially cross-shaped member.

10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said third means is comprised of a peg shaped member having first and second portions of differing diameters;

the smaller diameter portion being inserted into said passageway;

the larger diameter portion having a notch along its surface for suspending the object to be hung.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein said smaller diameter portion has a substantially oval shaped crosssection.

12. The assembly of claim 4- wherein said second means is further comprised of a cylindrical member positioned within said central opening and having a diagonally aligned opening for receiving said first means; said second means being rotatable relative to said cylindrical member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 797,076 8/ 1905 Schultz 248-496 1,357,280 11/1920 Dulle M8496- X 2,478,256 8/ 1949 Eysmann 248496 3,063,666 11/ 1962 Morrison 248496 JOHN PETO, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN ASSEMBLY FOR HANGING PICTURES AND OTHER OBJECTS TO A VERTICAL SUPPORT COMPRISING; FIRST MEANS FOR SECURING SAID ASSEMBLY TO SAID VERTICAL SUPPORT; SECOND MEANS HAVING A CENTRAL APERTURE FOR RECEIVING SAID FIRST MEANS AND BEING PROVIDED WITH A PASSAGEWAY SPIRALING GENERALLY OUTWARDLY ABOUT SAID CENTRAL OPENING; THIRD MEANS HAVING A FIRST END BEING SUPPORTED BY SAID PASSAGEWAY AND A SECOND END FOR SUPPORTING THE OBJECT BEING HUNG. 